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The Ontario government is making nearly $3 million available to support community-based environmental projects that protect and restore local greenspaces and habitats.
Through the Ontario Community Environment Fund (OCEF), funding is now open to Indigenous communities, not-for-profits, municipalities and academic institutions for projects such as shoreline cleanups, invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and tree planting. The funding comes from penalties paid by polluters under the province’s Environmental Protection Act.
Environment Minister Todd McCarthy says the program is one way the province is helping local groups build cleaner, safer communities. Since its launch in 2010, OCEF has invested $3.8 million in 108 projects that have resulted in the planting of more than 450,000 trees and shrubs, restoration of 52 kilometres of shoreline, and removal of over 1,300 bags of litter.
Examples of past initiatives include Brant County’s trail and Carolinian forest restoration near downtown Paris, Manitoulin Island’s riparian cleanup and fencing project along Grimesthorpe Creek, and Scouts Canada’s oak savanna restoration at Camp Attawandaron in Lambton Shores.
Applications are being accepted online until 5 p.m. on September 24, 2025. More than $1.6 million is available for Southwestern Ontario, over $721,000 for West Central Ontario, and $585,000 for Northern Ontario.
Projects must demonstrate a direct environmental benefit and take place in eligible regions. Applications will be assessed competitively, with successful applicants contacted in early 2026.
More information, including a map of eligible areas and application details, is available on the Ontario government’s website.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
